The median age of the Aboriginal population in Canada is 24.7 years compared with 37.7 years for all Canadians. (Source: Canadian Council on Social Development, 2001)

The median pre-tax income of Aboriginal persons in Canada is $13,526, compared with $22,120 for the entire population of Canada. (Source: Canadian Council on Social Development, 2003)

While Canada as a whole ranks near the top of the UN’s Human Development Index, Canada’s Aboriginal peoples would rank 78th on the same scale. (Source: “Same Country; Same Lands; 78 Countries Away” Cindy Blackstock)

Percentage of children who are poor among Aboriginal people – 52.1%
Percentage of children who are poor among all Canadians – 15.5%
(Source: Canadian Council on Social Development and UNICEF. Child Poverty in Rich Nations, June 2000)

The rate of suicide among Aboriginal youth in Canada 5 to 6 times higher than the rate among their non-aboriginal peers. Youth deaths by suicide account for more than 15,000 years of potential life lost in Canada each year.
(Source: Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s Decade for Youth & Development Office)

Aboriginal youth aged 15-25 are at the highest risk of suicide. Those living on a reserve are 6 times more likely to die by suicide than their non-native peers; those living within cities have a suicide rate equal to non-native youth.
(Source: Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s Decade for Youth & Development Office)

Within Nishnawbe Aski Nation territory, over 68% of the population is under the age of 29.
(Source: Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s Decade for Youth & Development Office)

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation lost over 240 youths to suicide since 1990.
(Source: Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s Decade for Youth & Development Office)

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POA Educational Foundation is a charitable Canadian Private Foundation - founded and funded by Indo-Canadian entrepreneur and Philanthropist Mr. Aditya Jha - that supports projects based on three distinct values: the promotion of accessible and high-quality education, the nurturing of entrepreneurship, and the strengthening of global civil society and governance.